Folding machine



July 30, 1935. K. KAUFMANN v 2,009,665

' FOLDING MACHINE 1 Filed May 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 K. KAUFMANN 2,009,665

FOLDING MACHINE July 30, 1935.

Filed May 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 In venfor @WMW K. KAUF MANN FOLDING MACHINE July 30, .1935.

Filed May 14, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Alforney July 30, 1935. K. KAUFMANN 2,009,665

FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1954 5 SheetS Sheet 4 y 1935- KAUFMANN 2,009,665

FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 by /1 P74 67 0 WMW Aifameyr.

Patented July so, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE signor to Automatic Aktiengesellschaft fiir vautoniatische Drnchnaachinen, Berlin, Germany Application ltfay 14, 1934, Serial No. 725,645 In Germany May 16, 1933 21 Claims. (Cl. 270-79) My invention relates to folding machines, and more particularly to a machine for folding, before piling in zig-zag fashion, a web of paper or other material which is fed through a p i ing or other machine continuously or intermittently.

It is an object of my invention to so improve a folding machine of this type that it operates with absolute precision to crease the web exactly along a definite line, for instance, a row of perforations.

To this end, I provide a main frame and a movable subsidiary frame which may be mounted to oscillate about suitable trunnions on the main 5 frame. The subsidiary frame is moved alternate-' ly in opposite directions by any suitable means. It supports a gate through'which the web moves, and means such as a pair of rollers for feeding the web through the gate. At the two points where the movement of thesubsidiary frame is reversed, positive folding means are arranged in fixed positions for creasing and folding about the lower edge of the gate the web which issues from the gate. Positive folding means are means whose members invariably perform the same movement with'respeot to the gate on the subsidiary frame for a given adjustment of the machine, without the intercession of springs and other elastic means. The precise operation required can only be obtained with such folding means.

In a machine for folding cloth which has previously been pleated, it has already been proposed to provide a pair of parallel folding knives, each 35 mounted to oscillate about a pivot, like the oscillating subsidiary frame of mymachine, for cooperation with a rocking table and holding jaws at both ends ofthe table. Each knife folds the pleated cloth between one end of the rocking table, and the jaw at that end, but these folding means are not .positive since the rocking table is mounted on springs which are compressed in proportion to the number of folds between the table and. the jaws, and so the position of the table with respect to the folding knives is variable. This may be harmless in a cloth-folding machine but must not be tolerated in my machine as it would interfere with the precision'required.

In the accompanying drawings, a machine embodying my invention and equipped with an oscillating subsidiary frame, is illustrated more or less diagrammatically by way of example.

In the drawings Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are elevations of the machine showing the oscillating subsidiary frame in its central position, and at the rear and front ends, or reversing points, of its stroke, respectively, Figs. la, 2a, and 3a show the lower end of the subsidiary frame, drawn to a larger scale, and in the positions of Figs. 1, 2, and 3,

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV, and Fig. 5 is a section, drawn to a larger scale, on the line V-V, in Fig. 1, v

Fig. 6 is a section on the'line VI-VI in Fig. 5, Fig. 7. is a section on the line VIIVII in Fig. 3a, 10 Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-Vl1I in Fig. I, and Fig. 9 is a plan view of a folding means. Referring now to the drawings, the main frame I of the folding machine which may be part of, 15 or attached to, a printing machine, or the like, comprises two side plates I' and I", as best seen" in Fig. 4. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the main frame is shown in dot and dash=lines, as otherwise it would conceal the parts between its side plates. The driving shaft 3!, Fig. 4, is mounted to rotate in the side plates I and l beyond which its ends project. On the end which projects beyond the side plate I", is mounted a sprocket 3 l or a pulley, or some other member, for rotating the shaft. On the opposite end of the shaft, beyond the'side plate I, is mounted a cam plate 32 for imparting oscillation to the subsidiary frame 2, and between the side plates" and nearer to the side plate I ismounted another 'cam plate'li'for operating a control on the subsidiary frame by which control the folding means are operated.

The subsidiary frame 2 has two arms 2 and 2", braced by a pair of stays I, I5, and, at its upper end. is mounted to oscillate about trunnions 3' and 3". The trunnion 3' has its bearing in the side plate I, and the trunnion 3" has its hearing in a lug l' which is attached to, or integral with, the side plate I". The upper stay 4 connects two lugs 5' and 5" on the respective arms 2 and!" of the subsidiary frame 2.

The gate is supported by the lower ends of arms 2', 2". It comprises a pair of bars 8 and 6', of angle section, as best seen in Fig. 8 and tongues l, 8 preferably made of thin steel plate, and projecting like racks with their lower ends, as shown in'Figs. 4 and '7.

The web-feeding means which is also supported by the lower ends of arms 2', 2 comprises a driven roller 9, Figs. 5 and 8, of larger diameter, and an idle roller III, of smaller diameter. The means for driving the larger roller 9 will be described below. Both rollers are grooved for the reception of the tongues l and I.

The shaft of the driven roller 9 is mounted to rotate in the arms 2' and 2" of the subsidiary frame 2, as shown in Fig. 5. The shaft l9 of the idle roller I is mounted to rotate in the lower uously.

ends of a pair of arms l4 whose upper ends are pivoted about the lower stay I5, Means are provided for holding the roller |0- against the webv 21 which is between the rollers, under resilient pressure. Such means comprise a laminated spring l6, Fig. 1a, on every arm i4, a bracket i8 .per spring which bracket is clamped on the lower ers occurs while the subsidiary frame 2 moves from one of its final positions or reversing points,

.Figs. 2 and 3, to about its central position, Fig. 1.

However, the delivery rollers may also be rotated during other periods, intermittently or contin- The rollers 28, 28 deliver the web 21 to a' table at whose rear end a shaft 25 is mounted to rotate in the main frame I. This shaft supports a pair of arms 25at whose free ends a registering roller 24 is mounted to rotate. From the registering roller 24, the web 21 moves to a brake which comprises a plain lower roller 2| mounted to rotate in the main frame I, and a pair of rings 22, 22 on a shaft 23 which is mounted torotate in the main frame I above the lower roller 2|,

Fig. 4, the web being engaged by the rings and the roller in order to impart tension to the web as it is pulled forwards by the rollers 9 and IQ of the web-feeding means II. The position of the registering roller may be varied within rather wide limits by turning the arms 29 about the axis of shaft 25. The final positions of the arms 26 are shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2. Thus, while the brake 2|, 22 is in a fixed position, the position of the registering roller with respect to the brake may be varied within the limits set by the final positions of arms 28.

The web is threaded toward the web-feeding means I i at the lower end of the subsidiary frame 2 between two guide bars l9 and 20 whose ends are secured in the trunnions 3' and 3" in such position that, in the axis of the trunnions, they are almost tangent, i. e., spaced apart for the thickness of the web 21 only. Owing to this position of the gap of bars i9, 20, the oscillation of i the subsidiary frame 2 does not interfere withs the feeding of the web by the feeding means The web leaves the web-feeding means H by passing through between the tongues 1, 8 of the gate, is folded by the folding means at the reversing points of the oscillating subsidiary frame 2, as will be described below, and finally piled, zig-zag fashion, at P, Figs. 1 to 3, in a suitable piling device, not shown.

The driving shaft II, and its cam plates, rotate at uniform velocity and continuously, in the direction of the arrow 23, Figs. 1 to 3. Thecam plate 92 which is similar to a fly wheel, has a groove 34 in which engages a roller 35 at the end of the shorter arm 95 of a bellcrank on a shaft 31. The longer arm 29 of the bellcrank is slotted at 39 for thejreception of a block 40 which slides in the slot and may be fixed in any desired position therein. The two arms of the bellcrank obviously may be made as a single member. One end of a link 42 is pivotally connected to the block 40 at 4|, and its other end is pivotally connected to the free end of an arm 43 on the trunnion 2' of the subsidiary frame ,2. By these means, the subsidiary frame 2 is oscillated in the direction of arrow 44, and in opposite direction, and the angle through which it oscillates, is determined by the position of block 40 in slot 29 of arm 38, and varied within wide limits.

The oscillation of the subsidiary frame 2 is utilized for operating the web-feeding means ii thereon. Secured to the side plate i is a rack 45 which is curved to an arc of a circle about the axis of trunnions 3', 3" and has teeth 43? on its lower, and teeth 88 on its upper-edge. Pinions 49 and 50 on the subsidiary frame 2 mesh with the teeth 2% and are rotated as the frame oscillates. The pinion 49 is free to rotate on an extension of the shaft |2 of driven roller 9 beyond the arm 2. The pinion 50 is free to rotate on a shaft 5| in the arm 2'. A spur gear 52 is keyed on the shaft i2, and meshes with a spur gear 53, of equal diameter, whichis free to turn on the shaft 5|. One-way clutches, of old design, are inserted between the pinions and spur gears which are on the same shafts.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the one-way clutch by which the pinion 49 is connected to the spur gear 52 on the shaft l2, comprises a cage 54 keyed on the shaft i2, with recesses 55, balls 56 in the recesses, and springs urging the balls onto the gradients of therecesses. The balls run on a race in the hollow boss of pinion 49. Rotation of the pinion 49 in the direction of arrow 51 corresponds to movement of the subsidiary frame 2 in rearward direction, i. e., against arrow 44. The one-way clutch of pinion 49 is so designed that rotation of the pinion 49 in the direction of arrow 51 causes the balls 55 to connect the pinion 49 to the shaft i2 and to the spur gear 52.

The one-way clutch for the pinion 50 is similar. Its cage 59, with recesses 58 for the balls 56, and springs 55, is integral with the spur gear 53 and arranged oppositely to the cage 54 on the shaft' i2, so that the spur gear 59 is not rotated by the pinion 50 when the pinion rotates in the direction of arrow 51, while upon rotation of the pinion in the opposite direction, corresponding to oscillation of subsidiary frame 2 in the direction 44, the pinion 50 is connected to the spur gear 53. The rotation of the pinion 50 is transferred to shaft 2 through spur gears 52 and 53. By these means, the roller 9 is driven in the same direction for both directions of oscillation of subsidiary frame 2.

The positive folding means now be described. The machine has-two folding means which, as mentioned, are arranged at the two points where the subsidiary frame 2 is reversed. The two folding means are quite similar, and only one of them willbe described in full detail, corresponding parts of the other means being marked with the same reference numerals and the index The means for folding the web 21 at the front reversing point of the subsidiary frame 2, i. e., at the right in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,

member 48 which is similar the rack 45 but i is withoutfthe teeth 88, and secured to-tbe side plate I" opposite the rack 86. Ribs 88, as best seen in Fig. 8, extend downwardly from opposite sides of bracket 66, and a shaft 88 is mounted to rotate in the ribs 68. Pinions 88 and 88' are keyed on the ends of the shaft 88 and mesh. respectively, with teeth 41 and II on the lower sides of the rack 86 and the member 88. A clamp IS on the bracket 88 surrounds the shaft 68 for fixing it in a definite position after rotating it, and the shaft has a flattened portion 88 to be engaged by awrench or the like. The ribs 88 support wheels 61 and 61' which engage the tracks 62 and 62 from below.

A folding member 68, of tria ular cross section, is arranged at the inner end of the bracket 68, i. e., at the end which faces the subsidiary frame 2. This fdiding member is mounted to turn about pivots 68 in the ribs 88, and a coiled spring III at one end of the folding member, Fig. 9, tends to move the member into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 in which it is below the ends of tongues I and 8. A controlling arm I I, with a roller I8 at its free end, is secured to the folding member 68 at that end which is opposite the spring I8. When the foldng' member is in its turned-down position (dotted lines in Fig. 8), the roller I8 is in its topmost podtion from which it is moved into its lowermost position by a push rod on the subsidiary frame 2, as will be described below. The push rod positively moves the folding member 68 into its active position as shown in full lines in Fig. 8.

The .upper faces of the brackets "and 68' are recessed at It for the reception of the toothlike portions of the tongues 'I and 8. The recesses I4 permit the tongues to move beyond the brackets 66, 66' and prevent damage to the.

tongues if the brackets have not been adjusted in conformity with the stroke of the subsidiary frame 2. The adjustment of the brackets 88, 86 along the rack 85 and the member 88 is effected by rotating the shaft 68 through the medium of its flattened portion 66 so as to move every bracket to the desired distance from the adjacent end of the rack or member. The brackets are fixed in the positions to which they have been moved, by setting the clamp I6 so thatthe shaft cannot be rotatedfurther.

The push rod for positively operating the controlling arms II, and the means for positively actuating the push rod, will now be described.

A bell crank 88, 8| is pivoted in the side plate I" at 82. Its arm 86 is-equipped with a roller I8 at its free end, for cooperation with the cam plate 16 on the driving shaft 8|. A spring 88 pulls the roller "into engagement with the cam plate I6. The cam plate has two diametrically opposite concentricportions and two, also diametrically opposite, depressions II and I8. A link 88 is pivotally connected to the end of the bellcrank arm 8| and the other end of the link ispivotally connected to the arm 84 of a bellcrank which is pivoted to the side plate I" .at 86. The other which its upper end, where the rod is connected to the arm 88, is exactly in line with the axis of trunnions 8', 8". The corresponding position of the lower end of the push rod is shown in Fig. is. When the roller 18 descends into one of the depressions II or 18, the spring 88, through the means described, causes the push rod to descend along the arm 2" in the direction of'arrow 88, Fig. i. This moves the lugs 81' and 81" into active relation to the rollers I8 on the controlling arms II of the folding members 68.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

Assume that the parts are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and in, showing the central position of the subsidiary frame 2. plate 82 rotates with theshaft 8i in the direction of arrow 88, the subsidiary frame 2 is moved to- As the cam ward the front reversing point in the direction of arrow 88. The configuration of the groove 88 in cam plate 8| is such that the subsidiary frame 2 moves more slowly when approaching one of its reversing points, and after leaving the point, than during-the balance of its oscillation, and is arrested for a short time at the reversing points.

The two positive folding means, with their brackets and 66, are adjusted on the rack 86 and the member 86 in the manner described and in conformity with the angle through which the subsidiary frame 2 oscillates. This angle is determined by the position of the block 86 in the slot 88 of hell crank arm 88, as described. If properly adjusted, the inner ends of the brackets 66, 68' must be so positioned that, as shown for the bracket at the right in Fig. 8, the inner end 68" of the bracket is engaged by the web 21,

which issues from between the tongues 1 and 8. The tooth-like portions of the tongue 8 enter the racemes It in the bracket, whilethe tongue I is When the subsidiary frame 2 has arrived at its front-reversing point, Fig. 3, the roller I9 engages in the depression I8 of camplate I6, the push rod 81 descends in the direction of arrow 96, and its lug 81' engages the roller I8 of the controlling arm II and moves it into the position best seen in Fig. 8, raising the folding member 68 about its pivots 68 into the full-lines position, and

causing the member to sharply and positively crease the issuing paper web 2'I about the lower edge of the tongues I. As the axis of the pivots 68 is at the rear of the inner end 86" of bracket 88, the folding member, in moving into its folding position, performs a certain displacement -along the outer face of tongues I in upward d rection, and the crease becomes sharper. The force which holds the folding member 68 against the tongues I- and 8, and slightly bends the tongues until they bear against the inner end 68" of the bracket, is exerted by spring 88, as the depressions II and I8 are so shaped that the roller I8 is not yet at the bottom'of the depression (18in Fig. 3) when the downward movement of push rod 81 is terminated by the aforesaid positive engagement of the folding member with respect to the inner end of the bracket. The fork shape of the push rod 81 permits it to clear the pivot 68 at the corresponding end of the bracket, and the non-active lug 81" to descend freely.

when the folding operation at the front reversing point has been completed, as shown in Fig. 8, the subsidiary frame 2 moves into the position illustrated in Fig. 2, against arrow 4!, and through the central position of Fig. 1. Before the subsidiary frame arrives at its rear reversing point, the push rod 81 is returned into its'initial position by cam plate 16 and permits the spring 18 "to return the folding member 68 into its initial position, dotted lines in Fig. 8; the web is now piled at P as shown in Fig. 2, and the next folding operation is performed by the folding means at the left, as soon as the subsidiary frame 2 has attained its rear reversing point, and under the control of the other lug 81" of the push rod 81, as shown in Fig. 2a.

During the oscillation of the subsidiary frame in the direction of arrow 44, as well as against the arrow, the web 21 is fed through the gate by theweb-feeding means H. In this manner, the web 21 is deposited on the pile P zig-zag fashion and finish-folded, as the subsidiary frame oscillates.

As described, the web-feeding means .ii is driven by the pinion when the subsidiary frame moves toward its front reversing point at the right, arrow 44. Through the spur gears 52, 53 the roller 9 is rotated in the direction of arrow 51. The idle roller I0 is rotated by friction from the driven ,roller 9. When the subsidiary frame moves toward its rear reversing point at the left, against arrow 41, the roller 9 is rotated directly and in the same direction as before,- by the pinion 49.

As often as the subsidiary'frame 2 returns from one. of its reversing points, the delivery rollers 28, 28 supply more material than is fed by the webfeeding means II, and so the .web 2'! sags at 21', Fig. 1. When the subsidiary frame is in, or approximately in, its central position, the delivery rollers 28, 28 stop, and the feeding means ll now winds up the sagging portion 21. The sagging portion 21' is formed by a correspondingly rapid and intermittent operation of the delivery rollers 28, 28, and the sag is so determined that at every reversing point of the subsidiary frame the web is taut from thethen stoppingdelivery rollers 28, 28, as far as the folding means which favors the formation of very sharp folds. With such sharp folds, the web is piled zig-zag fashion on the pile P, without any auxiliary means.

It will be understood that the movement imparted to the roller 9 of the feeding means ll through the rack 45 and the pinions 48, 50, is a function of the stroke of the subsidiary frame 2,

and that the folding members 68 are operated.

when the subsidiary frame 2 is, at the reversing points of its oscillation. In order to vary the pitch of the folds, the angle of oscillation is varied by shifting the block 40 in the slot 89 of-lever' 88, and the folding means are adjusted in conformity with the angle which has been selected. Obviously, the two folding means must be in positions "corresponding to one half of the stroke performed by the subsidiary frame 2.

The registering roller 24 at the ends of arms 28 is adjustable, as indicated in Fig. 2, and by such adjustment the web 21 may be so positioned that the folds are at definite points of the web, which is necessary, for instance, if the folds co-incide with perforations, creases, etc.

I claim:

1. In a machine for folding webs to be pil zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a movable subsidiary frame onsaid main frame, means for posite directions, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, and positive folding means arranged in fixed positions at the. two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom.

2. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion,.a main frame, a movable subsidiary frame on said main frame, means for alternately moving said subsidiary frame in 0pposite directions, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, means for operating said web-feeding means in the same direction for both directions of movement of said subsidiary frame, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom.

3. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zlg-zag fashion, a main frame, a movable subsidiary frame on said main frame, means for alternately moving said subsidiary frame in opposite directions, means for varying the stroke imparted to said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom, and means for varying the position of said folding means in conformity with the various strokes imparted to said subsidiary frame.

4; In a machinejor folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, .a main frame, a movable subsidiary frame on said main frame, means for alternately moving said subsidiary frame in opposite directions, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom, and means on said subsidiary frame for controlling said folding means.

5. Ina machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, means arranged in the axis about which said subsidiary frame oscillates, for guiding a web to said web-feeding means, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom.

6. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, intermittently operated means for feeding a web to said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, means for continuously operating the web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gatethe web isuing therefrom. I i

'1 In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate on said subsidiary frame, a web-feeding roller mounted for rotation in said subsidiary frame, means for rotating said web feeding roller, a pair of arms pivoted to said subsidiary frame, an idle roller supported by said arms, resilient means for urging said idle roller toward said web-feeding; roller, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the 'two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom. 8. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate on said subsidiary, frame, a web-feeding roller mounted for rotation in said subsidiary frame, means including one-way clutches for rotating said web-feeding roller in the same direction for the opposite directions in which said subsidiary frame oscillates, and folding means arranged in fixed position at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom.

9. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate in said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary, frame, a gate on .said subsidiary frame, a web-feeding roller mounted for rotation in said subsidiary frame, a rack secured to said main frame and curved to the arc of a circle about-the axis of oscillation of said subsidiary frame, a pair of pinions meshing with said rack, a-spur gear on said web-feeding roller, in axial alignment to one of said pinions, another spur gear meshing with said first-mentioned spur gear and arranged in axial alignment to the other pinion, one-way clutches acting in opposite directions and connecting said pinions to the spur gears to which they are axially aligned, for rotating .said web-feeding roller in the same direction for the opposite directions in which said subsidiary frame oscillates, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing therefrom.

10. In a machine for folding'webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, trunnions in said main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate about said trunnions, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding meanson-said subsidiary frame, a pair of guide bars between'said trunnions for guiding a web .to said web-feeding means, with the interstice of said guide bars arranged in the axis of said trunnions, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame isreversed, for, folding about the lower edge of said gate the web issuing. therefrom.

11. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, trunnions in said main frame, a subsidiary frame'mounted to oscillate about said trunnions, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, a pair of guide bars between said trunnions for guiding a web to said web-feeding means, with the interstice of said bars arranged in the axis of said trunnions, web-braking means arranged in advance I of said guide bars, a registering roller for the web arranged inadvance of said web-braking means, means for displacing said registering roller with respect to said web-braking means, and folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for folding about the lower region of the upper endsof said tongues, and

folding means arranged for cooperation with the lower ends of said tongues, in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed.

. 13. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, a track on said main frame which is curved to the arc of a circle about the axis of oscillation of said subsidiary frame, a pair of brackets mounted to move on said track, means for holding said brackets in definite positions from the ends of said track, each bracket having an inner end adapted to be engaged by said gate in the corresponding reversing position of said subsidiary frame, a folding member pivotally connected. to each bracket in the vicinity of said inner end, means for holding said folding members in inactive position, and means on said subsidiary fr e for moving said members into active position for cooperation with said gate; so as to fold the web issuing from said gate about the lower edge of said gate.

14. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and -web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame,

folding means each including a pivoted folding member and a controlling arm operatively connected to said member; and arranged in fixed positions at the two, points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, a push rod on said subsidiary frame which is adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time, and means for moving said push rod into active position with respect to the corresponding controlling arm when said subsidiary frame is at a reversing point.

' 15. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-rag fashion. a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, fold-, ing means each including a pivotedifolding member and a controlling arm operatively connected to said member and arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said 1 subsidiary frame is reversed, a push rod on said subsidiary frame which is adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time, a 'bellcrank pivoted on said main frame, a pivotal connection of one arm of said bellcrank and said push rod, said bellcrank being so positioned that in the central positionof said subsidiary frame said pivotal connection is in the axis said subsidiary. frame oscillates about, a link pivotally connectedto the other arm of said bellcrank, and means operatively connected to said link' for moving said push rod intoactive position with respect to the corresponding controlling arm when said" subsidiary frame is' at a-reversing point.

16. Ina machine for folding webs to be piled lugs being adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time while the other lug clears the pivotal connection of said folding member to said folding means, and means for moving said push rod into active position of its lugs with respect to the corresponding controlling arm when said subsidiary frame is at a reversing point.

17. In a machine for folding webs to bepiled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a

gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, rack-like tongues on said gate, folding means each including a bracket recessed for said tongues, a folding member pivoted to said bracket, and a controlling arm operatively connected to said member; and arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, a push rod on said subsidiary frame which is adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time, and means for movings'aid push rod into active position with respect to the corresponding controlling arm when said subsidiary frame is at a reversing point.

18. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a mainframe, a subsidiaryframe mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame,

rack-like tongues on said gate, folding means each including a bracket recessed for said tongues, a folding member pivoted to said bracket at a point positioned/in the arc described by the lower ends of said tongues, and at the rear of the inner endof said -bracket, and a controlling arm operatively connected to said member; and arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movementof said subsidiary frame is reversed, a push rod onvsaid subsidiary frame which is adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time, and means for moving saidpush rod into active position with respect to the corresponding controlling arm when said. subsidiary frame is. at a reversing point. 19. In a machine for folding webs to be pil zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, a' pair of rails on said main frame which are curved to the arc of a circle about the axis of oscillation of said subsidiary frame, a pair of brackets, lugs on said brackets for supporting them on said rails, teeth on said rails, pinions mounted to rotate on said brackets and meshing with said teeth, means for rotating said pinions so as to move said brackets along said rails, a pivoted folding member, and a, controlling arm operatively connected to said member on each bracket, a push rod on said subsidiary frame which is adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time, and means for moving said push rod into active position with respect to the corresponding controlling arm when said subsidiary frame is at a reversing point.

20. In a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a main frame, a subsidiary frame mounted to oscillate on said main frame, means for oscillating said subsidiary frame, a gate and web-feeding means on said subsidiary frame, a pair of rails on said main frame which are curved to the arc of a circle about the axis of oscillation of said subsidiary frame, a pair of trolling arm operatively connected to said memher on each bracket, a push rod on said subsidiary frame which is adapted to cooperate with one of said controlling arms at a time, and means for moving said push rod into active position with respect to the corresponding control ling arm when said subsidiary frame is at a reversing point.

21. In' a machine for folding webs to be piled zig-zag fashion, a mainframe, a movable subsidiary frame on said main frame, means for alternately moving said subsidiary frame in opposite directions, a gate on said subsidiary frame includinga pair of parallel gate members,

spaced apart for the reception of a web betweenso,

them, means, also on said subsidiary frame, for feeding the web through said gate between its members. and positive folding means arranged in fixed positions at the two points where the movement of said subsidiary frame is reversed, for creasing about the lower edge of one of said gate members the web issuing from between said gate members.

KURT KAUFMANN. 

